I sometimes think that there are as many different Americas as there are Americans.

Take guns. I don’t especially like the things, but I don’t favor anybody trying to take them away from the millions who own them either. Nor can I foresee government, not even this one, trying to confiscate them.

What I see is burgeoning fear and loathing. That and endless threats that I mostly ignore because I actually don’t care anymore. Create a run on ammunition based on rumor, buy all the pistols and rifles you can. As long as all that ruinously expensive junk is American-made I’m all for it. If it’s not, then you’re not a patriot at all.

Then comes the kind of thing that gives me pause because I just don’t understand wild paranoia, the squinting bellicosity and the hard-man talk which – like guns, only not quite as likely to be used in a drive-by – is guaranteed by almighty God and the U.S. Constitution.

Still, protesters in Virginia last week talked of dangerous breaches of that same Constitution in what was billed as the first armed (most were packing) assembly on national park ground since the passage of a law allowing just that.

The sticking point seemed to be violence-weary Washington, D.C., which (and you’d have to be insane to favor anything else in that town) prohibits openly carrying firearms.

Referring to the Constitution, one demonstrator told reporters: “It’s paid for in blood and, if necessary, we’ll defend it in blood.”

Wait, whose blood? Theirs, U.S. troops, the police, the National Guard, crack Cuban paratroopers? And under what circumstances would this blood be drawn?

Mike Vanderboegh, founder of the government-is-plotting-to-take-our-arms Three Percenters stated, “We are coming to a fundamental break where people, real people – the guilty and innocent alike – where people are going to be dying for their failure to understand. They start wars, these wannabe tyrants.”

Fundamental break, guilty and innocent, tyrants!?

I’m beginning to think that these guys are right. Maybe it’s time that we all lock and load. Either that or we just ratchet down the semi-biblical tough talk in the interest of civility and national survival and before some marginal geek takes this as incentive to kill.

Speaking of which, I received a lot of comment on Spirit Airline’s proposal to charge $45 per large carry-on bag. Naturally, I am more against people lugging huge bags aboard planes than people carrying assault rifles around national parks, where they might be assaulted by bears and the bad element in the minuscule number of national park visitors who can still haul their fat butts out of the SUV for a hike.

Steve Herbst of Manhattan Beach commented, “My solution would be to let checked bags ride for free and double the charge on carry-on luggage.”

Norm Simoes of Redondo Beach wrote, “Sorry, but you booted this one. The fee for carry-on bags is not a ‘tax on rudeness,’ it’s just an attempt to profit from rudeness. While the episodes of idiotic behavior you cited in today’s column are certainly evidence that Americans may be among the stupidest and most inconsiderate people on the planet, the problem has been caused by the airlines.

“Every airline I’ve flown has either a template or a box at the check-in counter. Your carry-on is supposed to fit through it and, if not, it’s supposed to be checked. I have almost never seen one used. The gate agents allow passengers to carry on ever-larger bags. The airlines could put a stop to this nonsense tomorrow if the gate employees did their jobs. Which is another widespread problem in this country.”

And this from Rob Wright of Manhattan Beach: “I share your view about carry-on bag fees. Airlines want to charge for convenience. If so, then checked baggage should be free, and carry-on bags should cost you. The reason people carry their own bags is to avoid the time it takes in baggage claim, and to avoid the risk that the luggage will be lost.

“If you want those extra minutes, and to avoid that risk, you shouldn’t be averse to paying for it. And it’s not just 15 minutes of waiting. My experience is it can take between 30 and 60 minutes.”

Bob Suchyta of Harbor City had this to say: “Rarely do I agree with everything you write in your column, but Friday’s hit the nail on the head! The underlying cause for all of our frustration with our fellow planet-mates is the attitude of entitlement everyone seems to have. From the slow doofus in the left lane refusing to move over, to the passengers you included in your column. People are rude and, if it bothers you, well, that’s your problem.

“My wife and I were standing in the restroom line at the Bowl for the Eagles show last weekend when another couple barged their way past everyone waiting their turn. … Add to that the couple sitting behind us who carried on a conversation through several songs and you realize that expecting any common courtesy these days is out of the question.”

Jerry McIlvaine wrote, “Here is a clip of the Honda U3-X vehicle that was featured in Thursday’s column. You’re right, it’s quite an item.”

Go to http://tinyurl.com/25 bjefu. It looks fake but it’s not. It’s merely amazing and could vastly help people with mobility problems.

Then there was this comment from Nina Murphy of Redondo Beach: “We have a friend in France who has to walk with ‘polio’ crutches. After I Googled Honda U3-X prototype, I discovered another Honda walking device she might be able to use! If all goes well and it works for her, you will have really helped someone! I think this is where Southerners say, ‘Bless your heart!”‘

And this non-blessing from Dave T.: “How does it feel to shill for a Japanese car company? Traitor!”

Fantastic. And when American car companies start engaging in research like this, I’ll shill for them, too.

And a final word from war hero and record-setting test pilot Fred Ascani, who died last week at age 92. Here’s what he said on the day he was told about his lung cancer: “I’ve been brave before, and I’ll be brave again.”